Electrosurgical apparatus



Aug, 27, 135,

L. D. MILES ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1932 Inventor! La rence Miles,

His Attorney.

Patented Aug. 27, 1 935 Y i UNITED STATES PATENT Y OFFICE C.

ELECTROSURGICALQ APPARATUS Lawrence D. Miles, Schenectady, N. Y. Application October 1, 1932, Serial Nat 35,806 10 Claims. (01. 174-177) My invention relates to electro-surgicafappafor example, as a metallic, needle, drill, etc. ratus and more particularly to such apparatus There is also provided an exploring electrode suitable for locating solid conductive bodies empreferably having a sharp point or cutting edge bedded'in the flesh of animate beings. in order that its use may entail the minimum of 5 It often happens that solid conductive, or meincision of the patients flesh. The exploring. -5

tallic, bodies become embedded. in the flesh of' electrode (is preferably insulated except for a a patient. For example, in the use of hypovery restricted surface at the point, or cutting dermic or other surgical needles, it sometimes edgefof the-electrode. The two electrodes are happens that the needle breaks off within the interconnectedthrough a source of electric ourflesh'of the patient. Also in ithe case of certain rent and an indicating means -is.connected in 10 dental surgical operations, drills, needles or other circuit with the electrodes and is adapted to reobjects, occasionally become embedded in the spond to the contacting of the conductive surflesh. In case such a foreign body becomes emface of the exploring electrode and the embedded bedded in the flesh adjacent to sinews or small body.

bones, it is exceedingly diflicult to locate the body For a better understanding of my invention, 15 by means of an ordinary lance, both because the together with other and further objects thereof, adjacent sinews or bones may have a resilience reference is had to the following description similar to that of the body embedded in the retaken in connection with the accompanying silient flesh, and because of the, fact that any drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the incisions made 'in an effort tolocate the body appended claims. Referring to the drawing, Fig. 20 immediately become filled ,with blood, so as to 1 is alschematic diagram of an apparatus emobscure the embedded body. In the past, it has bodying my invention for locating a solid conbeen proposed to remove such embedded bodies ductive body embedded in the flesh of a patient; by means of a very strong electro-magnet, but Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view' of the such 'a-method has the inherent disadvantage point of the exploring electrode of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 5 that it is limited to ferrous metals;" and that, in illustrates a. modifled'form of an exploring electhe cases of relatively small bodies, such for extrode suitable for use in connection with m inample, as broken needles which are deeply emvention, while Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross secbedded, it is not possible to secure a, suflicient tional view of the exploring electrode of-Fig. 3

i pull to remove the body. One of the principal taken along the line A-A.

problems in removing such an embedded object Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 ofthe isthat of locating the object, after which any drawing, there is illustrated an electro-surgical number of methods may be utilized for removapparatus embodying my invention for locating ing it. r a solid conductive body, such as a portion of'a 3 It is an object of,my invention, therefore, to metallic needle Ill, in the flesh of a "patient. provide a new and improved electro-surgical ap- This apparatus includes a conductive electrode paratus for locating solid conductive bodies mm H suitable for contacting with some portion of bedded in the flesh of animate beings. the patients body, as by encircling his arm, as il- ,It is another object of my invention to provide lustrated, or by inserting in the mouth of the 4' 'a new and improved electro-surgical apparatus patient, in case the contact resistance of the arm 40 including an exploring electrode for locating solid is too high. There is also provided an explorconductive bodies embedded in the fle'shof ani'- ing electrode I2 provided with anexploiing point mate beings, in which'a positive indication will or blade l3, a handle I4, and-an electrical termibe given when the exploring electrode contacts nal I5 which makes an electrical connection with 4 with the embedded body. the point l3, and is preferably removable from It is another object of my invention to prothe handle l4. As illustrated in,more detail in vide a new and improved surgical instrument -'Fig. 2, the blade or exploring point 13 of the which is particularly suitable for use in connec electrode l2 comprises a needle-like metallic j tion with my improved electro-surglcal appamember l6 covered with an insulating composi- '1 ratus. I tion, such for example, as a baked enamel, which In accordance with my invention, an electrode, extends almost tothe tip of theelectrode. V The such, for example, as a flat metallic. plate or terminal l5 of the exploring electrode I2 is interband, is arranged to form a. conductive connec-' connected with the contact electrode H through tion with the flesh of a patient from whom it is a circuit including the terminal ll, the adjusts desired to remove a solid conductive body, such able connection I8 of a voltage adjusting means,

such as a potentiometer l9, mechanical or thermionic relay means, such as the operating coil.

2| of a mechanical relay 22, the terminal 23,

an indicating device or meter 24, and terminals 25 and 26. The potentiometer I9 is connected across any suitable source of electric current, either direct or alternating, such as a battery 20. There may also be provided an indicating lamp 2'l'and an alarm device, such as a buzzer 28, energized through a circuit including the terminal 29, contacts 30 of the relay 22, the battery 20,

an auxiliary source of electric current such as a battery 3|, and the terminal 32. The apparatus comprising the potentiometer IS, the relay 22,

and the batteries 20 and 3| are preferably included in a container or box 33 having the outlet terminals ll, 23, 25, 26, 29 and 32, to which may be connected flexible conductors in circuit with the electrodes and the indicating means so that these apparatus may be conveniently located near the operator.

The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows: If the point 13 of the exploring electrode l2 be inserted in the flesh of the patient, but not in contact with the embedded needle ID, the contact resistance of the unin'sulated tip of the electrode l2 will be very high relative to the contact resistance of the electrode II or the resistance of the other elements included in the circuit interconnecting the electrodes. The adjustable connection l8 should be moved to such a position that the-relay 22 operates to close its contacts 30, thus energizing the signal lamp 2! or the alarm device 28, andthen the connection [8 should be moved to lower the voltage impressed upon the electrode circuit until the relay 22 just opens its contacts to deenergize the signal lamp 2! or the alarm device 28, and a reading of the indicating meter 24 should be noted. The exploring electrode may be moved in the neighborhood of the embedded needle H), but no matter how close the uninsulated tip of the electrode l2 comes to the needle l0, so long as these two do not contact, the resistance of the electrode circuit will still be limited primarily by the contact resistance of the tip of the exploring electrode and no appreciable indication will be obtained, either by a change in the reading of the meter 24 or in the operation of the relay 22.

However, as soon as the uninsulated tip of the exploring electrode l2 contacts with the embedded needle ID, a direct metal to metal contact is established which'has a very low resistance. The contact resistance of the exploring electrode now becomes that of the embedded needle or conductive object l0 which has a very much larger conductive surface than the exploring electrode I2, and accordingly a proportionately lower resistance. This lowering of the resistance of the electrode circuit causes an increase in current therein which will be indicated on the meter 24. This increase in current will also be effective to energize the relay 22 to close its contacts 30 and thus complete the circuit for energizing the signal lamp 2'! or the alarm device 28. Thus either a visible or an audible indication, or both, of the contacting of the exploring electrode l2 with the embedded metallic object I0 is given to the operator.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in case an indicating meter 24 is not desired, this may be omitted from the circuit, in which case the terminals 23 and 25 will be connected directly together. Similarly, it-will be apparent that either the indicating lamp 2! or the alarm device 28 may be disconnected in case it is not desired, or in case neither is desired, they may be both omitted and the terminals 29 and 32 connected together, in which case an indication is obtained only by means of the meter 24. In case the signal lamp or alarm device are sufficiently sensitive to respond to the change in current in the electrode circuit, it will be apparent that the relay 22 may be omitted and the indicating devices 21 and 28 connected directly in the electrode circuit. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art, that while I have illustrated my apparatus as energized from batteries 20 and 3|, any other suitable source of either direct or alternating current of high or low frequency may be substituted therefor without departing from my invention. Also, in case the voltage of the battery 20 0r other source of energy is sufficiently high, the auxiliary battery 3| may be omitted.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated another surgical instrument which may be used in place of the exploring electrode [2. The instrument or electrode 34 of Fig. 3 is essentially a surgical lance, comprising a handle portion 36 and a blade or cutting portion 35. The blade portion 35 of the lance 34 is insulated with any suitable insulating-compound,

- such for example, as a baked enamel, but this .provided with a suitable connection for the electrical terminal [5 of the arrangement of Fig. 1.

-In the use of the lance 34 of the Fig. 3, the'contact resistance of the electrode circuit is limited by the contact resistance of the cutting edges of the lance, which is relatively high. When, however, either of these cutting edges contacts with the embedded body, the contact resistance of the exploring electrode circuit is reduced, as described above, and an indication is given by the meter 24 or the signal lamp 21, or alarm device 28, as desired.

While I have described what I at present consider the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by .Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Electro-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a low resistance conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode includin means for imparting thereto a high contact re sistance, a source of electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, and indicating means responsive to the contacting of said exploring electrode and the embedded body.

2. Electro-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising a relatively low contact-- resistance electrode for forming a conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode having means including a restricted conductive surface for imparting thereto a high contact resistance, a source of electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, and indicating means responsive to the contacting oi the conductive surface of said exploring electrode and the embedded body.

3. Electra-surgical apparatus for locating metallic bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising an uninsulated metallic electrode for forming 'a low resistance conductiye connection with said flesh, a separate insulated metallic exploring electrode having a'restricted uninsulated portion, a source of electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, and indicating means responsive to the contacting of the uninsulated portion of said exploring electrode and the embedded metallic body.

4. Electra-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded inthe flesh of animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode including means for imparting thereto a high contact resistance, a

source of electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, and current responsive means connected in the circuit of said electrodes and operable to give an indication of the contacting of said exploring electrode and the embedded body. v

5. Electra-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode including means for imparting thereto a high contact resistance, a source, of electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, a relay included in the cir-- with said electrodes, an auxiliary source of electric current, indicating means, and a relay included in the circuit of said electrodes and operable in response, to the contactingof said. exploring electrode and the embedded body-to connect said indicating means in circuit with said auxiliary source of current.

7. Electro-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the flesh oi, animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a low resistance conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode including means for imparting thereto a high contact resistance, a source of'electric current connected in circuit with said electrodes, an auxiliary source dielectric current, indicating means, and a relay included in the circuit of said electrodes and operable in response to the contacting of said exploring electrode and the embedded body to connect said indicating means in series with both of said sources of current.

8. Electro-surgioal apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the'flesh of animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a low resistance conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode including means for imparting thereto a high contact resistance, a source of electric current provided with voltage adjusting means, a circuit including said electrodes and said source of current, and indicating means responsive to the contacting of said exploring, electrode and the embedded body. 9. Electro-surgical apparatus for locating solid conductive bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising an electrode for forming a low resistance conductive connection with said flesh, a separate exploring electrode including means for imparting thereto a high resistance,

a source of electric current, a potentiometer connected across said source, a circuit including said electrodes and said potentiometer, and indicating means responsive to the contacting of said exploring electrode and the embedded body.

10. Electro-surgical apparatus for locating metallic bodies embedded in the flesh of animate beings comprising an uninsulated metallic electrode for forming a low resistance conductive connection with said flesh, an insulated metallic exploring electrode having a restricted uninsulated portion, a source of current, a potenti- LAWRENCE D. MILES. 

